Marnie officially has a new cousin — a little Australian Shepherd named Finn. My sibling adopted the little nuggets last week and he is just the sweetest. However, as I was watching my sibling get ready for the new addition to her house, I had forgotten how nerve-wracking it can be to welcome a new puppy home, especially if you’ve never had one before. That being said, I thought I would create a list of things that new fur-parents might find handy. I want to STRESS that I am not a doctor and that every dog, like every child, is different, so my words are not gospel, and should you have any questions, the first person you should reach out to is your veterinarian, which leads me to my first suggestion.
Before adopting any pets, my first recommendation is that you locate a veterinarian. Most adoption places will not let you take home a pet if you do not have one lined up. Once you have that, it’s time to puppy-proof your place. Hide any loose wires, books (or things that can be easily chewed up, especially if they are close to the ground) or shoes that you do not want to be destroyed. I learned that the hard way. Marnie chewed up my laptop charger and a new book I had purchased a month prior within two weeks of me bring her home. The book was called Travels with Charlie, about a mans travels with is dog — fitting, isn’t it?
When it comes to what your fur-child actually needs, you should start with the basics. If you’re bringing home a puppy, you’re going to want to get chew toys, specifically because they will be teething. When it comes to teeth, believe it or not, you do need to brush their teeth every day, so make sure to buy DOG-toothpaste and a toothbrush. Human toothpaste is not meant for your dog’s mouth. You’re also going to want to buy a bed that is fit for whatever size your dog is. Finn is going to be about thirty pounds when he is full-grown, so my sister bought a medium-sized bed. It may be a little big for him now, but he’s going to grow into it in no time. Speaking of beds, you’re also going to want to decide if you’re going to crate-train your little one. If so, that should also be purchased before you bring your dog home. Finally, you may want to purchase some doggie pee pads, especially if it’s a puppy and not house-trained yet! Let me tell you, those things will come in handy. The only other thing I can think of that you may need to buy is a stain and odor remover in case your new fur-child has an accident. Carpet stains are THE WORST, so just to have that as a backup will make you feel one-hundred percent better.
The last thing I want to speak briefly about is food. I have researched quite a lot of dog food brands because I do want to feed Marnie something that’s healthy and delicious. I have switched brands a few times, and I’m definitely no expert, but my vet has always recommended that you do not give your dog any food that is grain-free. However, if you have questions about it, that is definitely something you should bring up with your own veterinarian. In terms of food that you NEVER want to give your dog, the following things are poisonous and deadly if not caught on time: Chocolate, Avocados, Grapes, Onions, and Garlic. You’ll also want to be aware that some brands of peanut butter are also not good for dogs because some contain an ingredient called Xylitol, which can also be very dangerous to your dog.
While this was just a general overview, I hope it helped. Just knowing the little things can really ease the stress and anxiety that comes with all the excitement of bringing your new fur-baby home. If I missed anything, or you have some advice of your own for new fur-parents, please share your thoughts in the comments below!
***I do not own this GIF.
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